Timbers' Darlington Nagbe wins AT&T Goal of the Year

Portland's Darlington Nagbe came into MLS with a bigger reputation as a creator than a goal-scorer. But the lasting image from the Liberian's rookie campaign turned out to be a juggling wonder-strike for the ages, good enough to claim the title of the 20111 AT&T Goal of the Year.

Nagbe scored the golazo in the 45th minute of what was eventually a 2-1 home loss to Sporting KC in Week 16.

Player

% of fan vote

Darlington Nagbe (POR)

42

Eric Hassli (VAN)

31

Fredy Montero (SEA)

23

Davide Chiumiento (VAN)

4

The goal came after Nagbe, stationed at the top of the penalty area, controlled a punched clearance from KC 'keeper Jimmy Nielsen with two juggles, then laced a laser-beam to the upper 90 as he was closed down by the Sporting defense. Between Jack Jewsbury's free kick, Nielsen's punch and — eventually — Nagbe's shot, the ball never touched the turf.

In all, the goal garnered 42 percent of the vote via text-message and online ballot, comfortably out-distancing Vancouver forward Eric Hassli's Week 13 golazo from an impossible angle against Seattle (31 percent). Fredy Montero's fancy footwork in Week 28 against the 'Caps took third place (23 percent), while Davide Chiumiento's spinning volley in Week 26 against New York came in a distant fourth (4 percent).

Nagbe is just the second rookie to win the AT&T Goal of the Year, following in the footsteps of Chicago's Damani Ralph. Ralph received the award in 2003 for a spinning touch and volley against the Columbus Crew.